Weather bliss: Spectacular weather pattern this weekend

For most Minnesotans this may be the best weather of the year so far.

My informal, unscientific poll finds 93.7 percent of all Minnesotans approve of sunny days with highs in the 60s and 70s. It's amazing how popular the weatherman is on days like this. People who haven't spoken to me in six months suddenly sing my praises. With all the "feedback" we get for lousy weather days, I'll take it.

A lazy high-pressure cell loiters over Minnesota this weekend into early next week. Sunny skies and milder temperatures constitute our weather fare the next few days. Farmers get moving again on planting, as soggy farm fields dry out. Spring fever cases spike at local clinics, and outdoor patios.

MPR Capitol view 5-4-17
Minnesota State Capitol under a spring sky. Paul Huttner/MPR News.

High and dry

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Minnesota rides a narrow high pressure ridge this weekend. Storms on the east and west coasts rain away. In between, a narrow slot of sunshine and mild air for the first weekend in May. We've earned it.

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NOAA GFS model via tropical todbits.

70s ahead

Temperatures respond to our higher May sun angle this weekend. Friday looks simply spectacular. Call it our fifth "top 10 weather day" of the 47 we will see this year.

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NOAA via Weather Bell.

Frosty north of the metro Sunday

The coolest morning in the next two weeks could be Sunday morning. Frost is likely north and east of the metro. The inner urban core inside the Interstate 494-Interstate 694 freeway ring should escape freezing temps.

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NOAA

Even warmer next week

The thermal ridge, the peak of warmest air, arrives Monday and Tuesday. Many towns will bask in the 70s and some locations may enjoy the first 80 degree temperatures of the year by Tuesday afternoon.

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Canadian GEM model temperatures for 7 pm Tuesday May 7th via tropical tidbits.

Slight rain chance next week

The next hint of rain appears to be a potentially glancing blow next Tuesday and Wednesday. The heaviest rain appears to favor southern Minnesota and Iowa next week.

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NOAA GFS model via tropical tidbits.

Warm again as May unfolds?

Warmer-than-average weather is favored in the Upper Midwest for the foreseeable short term future.

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NOAA

The upper air pattern suggests another mild high-pressure ridge later in May.

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NOAA

Spring has sprung.